The Lynnwood Times is recognizing both Washington State Representatives and Snohomish County Council members Sam Low (R) and Strom Peterson (D) for their support of a set of new animal cruelty bills which changed the landscape of how animals are protected, and those found guilty of animal cruelty are penalized, in Washington.
These set of bills include the Low-sponsored HB 1961, which changes all instances of animal cruelty in the first degree (RCW 16.52.205) to a seriousness level III offense, and the Peterson-co-sponsored HB 1153, banning octopus farming in Washington, HB 1097, which prohibits the sale of cosmetic products tested on animals, and HB 1012, which creates a shelter program for animals during instances of extreme weather.
All four of these bills were signed into law by Washington Governor Jay Inslee (D) back in March.
“By aligning penalties with the gravity of the offenses, House Bill 1961 is sending a strong message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Washington state,” said Low. “Inconsistency in sentencing benefits abusers because they know they can exploit gaps in the legal system, escaping appropriate punishment for their crimes. This bill addresses this injustice by providing a clear and consistent sentencing framework, ensuring that those who commit acts of animal cruelty are truly held accountable for their actions.”
House Bill 1961 was crafted by Representative Low during the 2023 interim in consultation with Pasado’s Safe Haven, a Sultan-based animal sanctuary and advocacy organization.
In addition to recognizing both Reps. Low and Peterson, the Lynnwood Times is also recognizing Senator John Lovick (D-Mill Creek) for his support of the Washington State Justice Training Commission’s brand-new Arlington law enforcement training center.
The center trains new police officers through a 720-hour program and, when it opens next year, will serve Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and San Juan counties at a rate of approximately 60 graduates annually. This will be the third of its kind within the last two years, following Pasco in 2023, and Vancouver earlier this year.
Before Washington’s regional training centers began opening, those seeking careers in law enforcement typically waited 18 months before starting their training, Miller added, taking two years before serving communities. Now if someone wants to begin their career in law enforcement training after the facility opens in February, that person can begin right away, he shared.
Senator Lovick (D-Mill Creek) led the effort in 2023 and in the 2023-25 Operating Budget passed that year, in securing monies appropriated for three regional police training centers in the city of Pasco, and in Skagit and Clark counties. In the supplemental budget— Engrossed Senate Bill 5950—passed on March 7, lawmakers agreed to the Senate’s proposal of replacing Skagit with Snohomish County with hopes to close the gap on hundreds of police shortages across Washington state.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
